the veil is thin . . .

[thespaceopera]

[ On the night of the 16th, the feeling of tension and horrid anticipation comes to a head. Everything stops when the sun goes down-- even the ever-present music in the hoppingest part of the city center. One by one, everyone turns their eyes to the skies. The young and old alike pour out of their houses, some in bare feet, and they point to the velvety blanket of stars.

It takes a second to find it, especially if one is unaccustomed to the starscape. But even a casual observer can see it.

A brightly-shining star, larger than the others, and growing larger.

An announcement cuts across all communication channels that encourages people to evacuate to the space station, but it’s clear that these are just people and they’ll need some help. Supplies, equipment, organization, there’s something for everyone to do.

Civilization is disrupted by a panicked stampede of people vying for limited seats aboard spacefaring craft. Within hours, there will be crushed glass, looting, and chaos.

The clock is ticking. Will you help? Or would you rather watch the dying gasps of a Singing Planet from a safe distance? ]

[OOC: Please see this post for plot details. Phase two has begun! Feel free to use this post as a reaction post, mingle, etc. or make your own!]

Comments

[apurrstate]

[Too bad for buddy, Anders is very good at playing that game himself, he knows the rules.]

Vash. I mean it, there are plenty of people in the fleet who will need you after this and these refugees will need your help as well. Don't let the stubborn minority unwilling to help themselves hurt those who're left.

[goldenglasses]

Don't worry. I disapprove suicide more than anything. I won't be doing anything too reckless or dangerous.

[To his standards. By everyone else's it will be extremely reckless.]

[apurrstate]

[Unfortunately, Anders couldn't stand there and monitor his former captain's choices, as much as he may want to. He would just have to trust Vash's judgement.]

...Alright. Get ready, I'll have another group in here in a few minutes. I threatened to leave some behind to die if they didn't leave their useless things, I'm waiting for them to get scared and show up.

[goldenglasses]

I'm ready to go once everyone is in. I have enough fuel, but I'll need to stop and refill after this run.

[Vash smiles ruefully as he looks at a monitor showing the world outside.] Don't be too hard on them. Leaving everything you've know to be safe and what you loved as home behind isn't easy.

[apurrstate]

[Anders went still and his tone developed a stony edge.]

It is when your life is threatened. Better to leave everything behind than have it forcibly ripped from you. At least then something still survives.

[He couldn't stand here and dwell on the idea and the feelings it dredged up, right now what mattered was their cause.]

I'll be right back.

[goldenglasses]

They'll make the right choice. Just give them the chance to process it all.

[But Vash can completely see where Anders is coming from so he doesn't look upset by what was said.]

Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere.

[apurrstate]

[Anders bit lightly on his lip but then nodded. Sometimes, he wished he had whatever spark of hope Vash carried so strongly; the one that made him believe in the general people and think that all men were worth sparing at the end of the day, even the ones trying to kill you.

Vash wouldn't like Thedas, Anders had decided this a long time ago. He'd survive, most definitely, but he certainly wouldn't be able to keep that hope intact.]

Alright.

[He nodded, an answer to both, then stepped back out into the panicked throng to fetch the last group he'd huddled together.]

[goldenglasses]

[Never doubt Vash's ability to keep hope alive!

He will sit patiently for the shuttle to be filled (and stay awake this time) before heading off again.]